double-talk

or dou·ble·talk

[ duhb-uhl-tawk ]
See synonyms for: double-talkdouble-talkeddouble-talking on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. speech using nonsense syllables along with words in a rapid patter.

  2. deliberately evasive or ambiguous language: When you try to get a straight answer, he gives you double-talk.

verb (used without object)
  1. to engage in double-talk.

verb (used with object)
  1. to accomplish or persuade by double-talk.

Origin of double-talk

1
An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Other words from double-talk

  • double-talker, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use double-talk in a sentence

  • Now they would stall him off about the machines after handing him a fast line of double-talk.

    Assassin | Jesse Franklin Bone
  • He'd duck the question or give them some diplomatic double-talk.

    Project Mastodon | Clifford Donald Simak

British Dictionary definitions for double talk

double talk

noun
  1. rapid speech with a mixture of nonsense syllables and real words; gibberish

  2. empty, deceptive, or ambiguous talk, esp by politicians

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with double-talk

double-talk

Meaningless speech, gibberish mixing real and invented words. For example, Some popular songs are actually based on double talk. [1930s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.